Rome

We are on a walking tour with Jude and have just been released for photo taking.

This is Mike and I in Vatican City- yep you guessed it out the front of St Peters Basilica

I was unimpressed with the steps. Can you tell by the quality of my photo? :)

However I loved the fountain.

The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.

The bubbling water, the displays of manlihood, the setting sun, what more could a gal ask for?

(the street hustlers to **** off that's what)

Thanks for the coins Jude.

The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.

On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the girl after whom the aqueduct was named.

The thing on the right is scaffolding and shouldnt be there. The Pantheon was built of a very strong concrete with pozzolona cement. A gradation process was used so that the structure is heavier at the bottom and much lighter at the top. The dome's oculus or opening lightens the load and acts as a compression ring. Whatever the reasons, the Pantheon is the only structure of its age, size and span that has successfully survived the scourge of time and gravity and has come down to us, intact, and in all its splendor and beauty.

The day before the ordination of the new Pope. Its quite early in the day and look at all those people.

Can you spot our little group?

Can you see where Pope John Paul II used to sit when we Aussies saw him on TV?

Apparently 2 million people flooded into Rome over that weekend.

Finally inside, I kiss my pendant (of the famous virgin) responsible for keeping me out of trouble.

It feels as though nothing is moving yet all around you there is activity. There is definitely a calmness and altered atmosphere inside St Peters

Isnt it amazing what turned out in this pic?

Almost practice time boys.

Designed by Michelangelo (as a flip of the bird to the church for commissioning him so much.) These are Swiss guards. Its very difficult to become one of these guys.

Becks and I out the front

Mwa, Natalie, Becks, Cally, Lillah and Carly.

Can you imagine being held prisioner down there? No thanks.

The Coloseum was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasiano c. 72 AD and dedicated in 80 AD by his son Titus.

The popular name of Coliseum came about because the immense oval stadium was situated next to a colossal statue of Nero. The original name of this ancient Roman sports arena, the largest arena of its kind, is The Amphitheatrum Flavium.

Very cool. It would be a great place to play hide and go seek.

This photo does not do it justice.

The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was the political and economical centre of Rome during the Republic. It emerged as such in the 7th century BCE and maintained this position well into the Imperial period, when it was reduced to a monumental area. It was mostly abandoned at the end of the 4th century.

The sheer size of this structure is enough to make you 'ooow' and 'arrrh' at it. Can you imagine how long it took them to build something like this?